Bluff Lake Nature Center Breaks Ground
On March 12th, Bluff Lake Nature Center (BLNC) celebrated the groundbreaking of its highly anticipated campus improvements at its 123-acre property in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood. As the city’s only nonprofit nature center and the largest open space in Denver, BLNC plays a vital role in connecting the community to nature.
BLNC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a space where people and nature coexist and flourish. Through its programs and stewardship, BLNC inspires individuals to be curious, resilient, and engaged; preserves a rare natural area within the city; promotes equitable access to the outdoors; and supports the well-being of communities and ecosystems.
The new development will span approximately 2.5-acres near the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lima Street. Designed with sustainability in mind, the facility will incorporate solar power and other green technologies, with a goal of achieving Net-Zero Energy Performance.
Planned campus improvements include:
- Public Amenities: Indoor classrooms, shaded outdoor learning areas, and new paths and gardens
- All-Electric Administrative Building: Offices, meeting rooms, kitchen, storage, garage, and welcoming lobby
- Parking Lot Enhancements: Accessible parking, ramp, and stair access
- Trail Accessibility: New ADA-accessible trail and stairway connecting the facility to the lower preserve
Speakers at the event included Denver City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis and other community leaders who emphasized the transformative impact this project will have on education, equity, and environmental access.
The project team of Howell Construction, Cumming Group, and Shape Architecture Studio, expressed enthusiasm about bringing the nature center’s vision to life.
“Howell is excited to be part of this incredible project and grateful for the opportunity to work with great partners in such a unique setting; surrounded by native plants, wildlife, and even bald eagles,” said Jeremy Kellogg, Project Manager of Howell Construction.
